Keith Gurry - Leader

Our leader Keith Gurry was born in East Ham where he received his first musical education. He studied the violin with Marta Eitla before going to the Royal Academy of Music in 1964. Whilst at at the Academy he worked with Ralph Holmes, and, after being awarded the Bach and Beethoven Scolarship, continued his studies with Sydney Griller.
In 1968 he joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and continued studying the violin with Homi Kanga. He served on the Board of Directors of the R.P.O. from 1973 to 1977. In 1978 Keith became a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and continued orchestral work with recitals and appearances with several chamber music groups. Together with his recital partner of over 20 years, the Pianist David Silkoff, Keith made his Purcell Room debut in June 1977.

Keith has led the Essex Symphony Orchestra for the last decade, and has been one of the key figures in its ongoing development.

News 2005: Keith has now retired from the BBC and the ESO looks forward to seeing him more frequently at their weekly rehearsals.